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Question: If I am a single girl living in my own apartment, and I go to a friend/family's house for Menorah lighting and I'll be eating there, do I still have to light in my own apartment? And does… Question: If I am a single girl living in my own apartment, and I go to a friend/family's house for Menorah lighting and I'll be eating there, do I still have to light in my own apartment? And does it change anything if my father (in a different time zone) has me in mind by his lighting? Answer: You should light in your own apartment. Please see here for additional details and sources: https://asktherav.com/menorah-for-a-girl-alone-in-her-apartment-over-chanukah/ PS: Even according to the view that you may fulfill your obligation if your father has you in mind - this only applies…Show more
The halachic opinion of the Lubavitcher Rabbeim and the custom of the Lubavitcher community is that there is no Tcheiles nowadays (until the coming of Moshiach). Follow up question: There are legitimate sources identifying the chilazon as the… The halachic opinion of the Lubavitcher Rabbeim and the custom of the Lubavitcher community is that there is no Tcheiles nowadays (until the coming of Moshiach). Follow up question: There are legitimate sources identifying the chilazon as the purphira / murex trunculus. There is a long list of gedolim who wear it and other rabbis who while they don’t wear it or personally agree with it, they do not discourage it nor think is wrong to do it. Answer: Please understand, I am familiar with all the sources you have mentioned, and more. I still maintain my stance…Show more
It is better to use a regular kvort or cup with a larger opening. If no other choice exists, one may use a water bottle, however one should make sure that the water gets poured over one’s full hand… It is better to use a regular kvort or cup with a larger opening. If no other choice exists, one may use a water bottle, however one should make sure that the water gets poured over one’s full hand (and all fingers) without stopping. Sources: בשוע"ר סי קס"ב ס"ז משמע שבכלי שאפשר ליצוק על…Show more
Shehakol. ראה סבה"נ פ"ו, יא. ואין רגילין רוב בנ"א לאכלן חיין אע"פ שטובים וראויין לאכילה גם כשהן חיין. #11972
Question: Does a Hachnasa L'Cheider require to have children present or is it perfectly fine doing it with the Melamed after school hours (after the children in the class went home)? Answer: Although there is no specific recorded… Question: Does a Hachnasa L'Cheider require to have children present or is it perfectly fine doing it with the Melamed after school hours (after the children in the class went home)? Answer: Although there is no specific recorded Minhag that the Hachnasa L'Cheider is required to be in the presence of other children, since it should be done in a festive way (like carrying golden dishes...) and in a form of celebration (in the child’s eyes as well) it’s sensible to say that it should be done when other children are there, as this is usually the case…Show more
Some have a custom to decorate the Sukkah with wine, olive oil and flour as per the sources below. Olive oil also is associated with the upcoming mitzvah of lighting the Chanukah candles, ensuring that the Chanukah oil is… Some have a custom to decorate the Sukkah with wine, olive oil and flour as per the sources below. Olive oil also is associated with the upcoming mitzvah of lighting the Chanukah candles, ensuring that the Chanukah oil is used first for another mitzvah. Some suggest this commemorates the menachos and nesachim in the Beis Hamikdosh. Others suggest this is in order to decorate the Sukkah with all the seven species - flour, wine, oil and honey correspond to wheat, barley, grape, olives and dates - and indeed they would decorate the Sukkah with all the seven species. And…Show more
Food that was under a bed should be discarded (thrown in the garbage etc.). However, in certain cases in which there is a greater necessity, one would be allowed to eat the food by rinsing it three times (only… Food that was under a bed should be discarded (thrown in the garbage etc.). However, in certain cases in which there is a greater necessity, one would be allowed to eat the food by rinsing it three times (only if it is a solid food that does not absorb liquid). Sources: ראה גמ' פסחים קי"ב ע"א, שו"ע יו"ד סי' קט"ז…Show more
Question Continued: If a bit later on, I decide to drink or eat something that would require the same Brachah? Also, what is the time frame within which I can still say a Beracha Achrona? Answer: Beracha Rishona:… Question Continued: If a bit later on, I decide to drink or eat something that would require the same Brachah? Also, what is the time frame within which I can still say a Beracha Achrona? Answer: Beracha Rishona: If you had the second food in mind, or if it was in front of you while making the Beracha, and you have not consciously decided to stop eating, you may continue eating until you have “lost the Beracha” (discussed later). If you didn’t have the second food in mind (L’chatchila you should always have in mind the possibility…Show more
What Bracha is made on Ezekiel bread, as it is not the usual way of making bread? While there is much brouhaha surrounding the purported health advantages of the popular "Ezekiel Bread," there is also much discussion in… What Bracha is made on Ezekiel bread, as it is not the usual way of making bread? While there is much brouhaha surrounding the purported health advantages of the popular "Ezekiel Bread," there is also much discussion in the halachic realm as to the brachah we make on a grain product that is not prepared in the conventional manner of most breads. (As an aside, the bread for which this product is named is rooted in a passage in Yechezkel, but the circumstances of the original baking of this bread is not of a positive nature. These associations…Show more
After washing Negel Vaser you may drink. There is no need to say Birchas Hashachar beforehand if you will be going back to sleep. See also here: https://asktherav.com/4239-if-one-is-awake-in-middle-of-the-night-after-sleeping-earlier-and-is-going-back-to-sleep-but-is-still-up-at-the-time-of-alos-hashachar-can-one-drink-or-eat-then-0r-do-they-need-to-say-brachos-fir/ #12009
Sewing, weaving and washing clothes, unless you have a custom which is more Machmir. Sources: הרבה טעמים נאמרו בזה: בב"י סימן עת״ר בשם הרא"ש…
My concern is that perhaps it was deep-fried in same oil as is used for deep fried chicken, etc. Answer: If they were fried in same oil as Fleishig you would need to wait 6 hours. Sources: בחולין קה, א, שלר"ת אחרי תבשיל של בשר צריך…
Question: Is there halachic discussion of the practice of writing to the Rebbe and receiving an answer through Igros Kodesh? It seems pretty clear that the Rebbe does indeed answer, but it also seems pretty clear that it's a… Question: Is there halachic discussion of the practice of writing to the Rebbe and receiving an answer through Igros Kodesh? It seems pretty clear that the Rebbe does indeed answer, but it also seems pretty clear that it's a little scary for some people, so I would like to know what halacha has to say, if anything. Answer: There is an old age practice (brought in Shulchan Aruch) of asking a child what Posuk he learned that day, and from the content of the Posuk one could learn out what action to take. Regarding opening seforim of Tanach…Show more
This depends on many factors. It is best to avoid traveling through such a road wherever possible, even with the windows closed. Sources: כמה פרטים בדבר: גדר אהל זרוק, דבר המק״ט א״ח בפני…
Question: Is it permitted to buy used clothing from a thrift store or to get a donation of used clothing from someone? Is it allowed halachically to wear someone else's used clothing? Is it better not to? What if… Question: Is it permitted to buy used clothing from a thrift store or to get a donation of used clothing from someone? Is it allowed halachically to wear someone else's used clothing? Is it better not to? What if the clothing belonged to someone who died? What if they belonged to a goy? is there a negative energy associated with it? What's the story with shoes? Because a friend told me that al pi kabala its better not to wear used shoes. Is this true? Answer: You may purchase used shoes or clothing. Sources: להחשש ממנעלי מת - ובשאר לבושיו לא איכפת לן…Show more
Question: I have a very expensive taste in clothing, but I have very limited income. (When I first developed my taste, I was able to afford the quality I craved.) The shoes I want to wear (and I'd wear… Question: I have a very expensive taste in clothing, but I have very limited income. (When I first developed my taste, I was able to afford the quality I craved.) The shoes I want to wear (and I'd wear nothing less) cost at least ten times more than what I am prepared to spend on shoes. My solution is to shop thrift. I buy second hand clothing and shoes for a mere fraction of the original prices, and I get the experience of wearing clothing and shoes of the style and quality I love. Obviously, what I wear is…Show more
There is no formal Chabad tradition in this matter, though to the best of my knowledge people generally are particular about this. The only formal reference that I’m aware of is in a response of the Rebbe to a… There is no formal Chabad tradition in this matter, though to the best of my knowledge people generally are particular about this. The only formal reference that I’m aware of is in a response of the Rebbe to a woman who wrote that her Rabbi said it was OK to wear the shoes and the Rebbe responded that some ARE particular about this matter. The Rebbe continued in his response to point out the halachic references for this opinion. Sources: שלחן מנחם יו״ד יד ע׳ לא. המענה במקורו ונוסח…Show more
Clear chicken soup - שהכל Vegetable soup - האדמה, if blended it's שהכל. See here: https://asktherav.com/13404-bracha-on-blended-vegetables-soup/ Mushroom barley soup - see here: https://asktherav.com/2055-which-bracha-does-one-make-on-a-meat-barley-soup-does-one-make-on-a-meat-barley-soup/ https://asktherav.com/22215-brachos-for-barley-soup/ #11983
One may give them food, even if they are not the owner of the fish, provided they are owned by Jews. This applies to all animals which are dependent on people for their food (like pets), except for pigs.… One may give them food, even if they are not the owner of the fish, provided they are owned by Jews. This applies to all animals which are dependent on people for their food (like pets), except for pigs. However, there are those who write that animals, particularly fish, which are fed once a day should preferably be fed right before Shabbos. Of course, if one forgot it would be permissible to feed them even on Shabbos. One may not feed animals which get their food on their own (except for a non barking dog, even if it’s a…Show more
Question: During Harchakos, are husband and wife allowed to recline on a 2 person couch that each seat reclines independently? Is it like laying on the same bed, or is it fine? Answer: Husband and wife may sit… Question: During Harchakos, are husband and wife allowed to recline on a 2 person couch that each seat reclines independently? Is it like laying on the same bed, or is it fine? Answer: Husband and wife may sit on a three-seat couch, on separate seats, provided the couch will not move even slightly when someone else sits on it. Also, they must sit in a manner that they won’t come to touch each other, even inadvertently. Practically speaking, if the couch has only two seats one can usually sense the movements of someone else getting on and off…Show more
Yes. שו״ת אג״מ או״ח א, קז. שש״כ יח, כט. #11946
While one may take a haircut on Motzaei Shabbos, it is not proper to schedule in advance a haircut for Motzaei Shabbos as it is an embarrassment to Shabbos. Generally, it’s preferable (מצוה מן המובחר) to schedule haircuts for… While one may take a haircut on Motzaei Shabbos, it is not proper to schedule in advance a haircut for Motzaei Shabbos as it is an embarrassment to Shabbos. Generally, it’s preferable (מצוה מן המובחר) to schedule haircuts for Friday or Thursday. If one's hair is long or if Erev Shabbos a haircut was not permitted, like in a case when a child's 3rd birthday is on Shabbos, the haircut should take place on Motzaei Shabbos. See also here: https://asktherav.com/2708-shabbos-upsherin-on-motzei-shabbos-or-sunday/ אין להסתפר במוצאי שבת או יום ראשון גם מחמת שהוא יום אידם וגם שהוא זלזול לשבת. חכמת…Show more
Since the almond milk itself is mostly comprised of water, it might not qualify. It depends a lot on how the almond milk is made. שאר משקין - ראה סדר ברה"נ פ' ב' סעי' ז', ובשו"ע אדה"ז סי' קס"ח… Since the almond milk itself is mostly comprised of water, it might not qualify. It depends a lot on how the almond milk is made. שאר משקין - ראה סדר ברה"נ פ' ב' סעי' ז', ובשו"ע אדה"ז סי' קס"ח סעי' י"א "או בשאר משקין חוץ ממים" (וראה דעת תורה שם סעי' ז' , שבט הלוי ח"ח סי' ל"ב, להורות נתן ח"ז ט', ועוד). מי פירות - במשנ״ב בסי' קס"ח בביה"ל סעי' ז' ד"ה הרבה, בפשטות שאינו פת הבא בכיסנין. לאידך הכף החיים (שם בס"ק נ"ז) מביא לשון אדה"ז ובהמשך כותב "והוא הדין כו' כיון שנשתנה הטעם ומראה המים הוי…Show more
Question: I have an idea that would involve helping people in their Torah learning. It would be a service that I would charge for. It would involve me coaching people in their learning and helping clients with plans… Question: I have an idea that would involve helping people in their Torah learning. It would be a service that I would charge for. It would involve me coaching people in their learning and helping clients with plans and learning schedules in their life and other similar services. If people could pay for the service that I will provide, with their Ma'aser money, it would be easier for many people who don’t have extra money. Now, I understand that generally speaking, since they are obligated to learn Torah, their Torah learning expenses can't be Ma'aser. So could their…Show more
Q. What does one do by Kiddush Levana regarding Sholom Aleichem if he's saying it alone and there's no one else around (or there's less than 3 people around)? A. Just say it to yourself. Q. And would… Q. What does one do by Kiddush Levana regarding Sholom Aleichem if he's saying it alone and there's no one else around (or there's less than 3 people around)? A. Just say it to yourself. Q. And would that apply if there are women nearby (i.e. can you say Sholom Aleichem to them if necessary)? A. It is questionable if it is OK to say it to ladies. One may say Shalom Aleichem to female relatives which one may have yichud with. Q. When telling someone Sholom Aleichem, is there an inyan to say "Aleichem Sholom" together…Show more
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